Workers Memorial Day
Apr 28, 2022 06:00 AM CDT - Apr 28, 2022 10:00 PM CDT
Where: Various Central Labor Councils
On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO will observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew the fight for safe jobs. This year we will come together to call for action on hazards that cause unnecessary injury, illness and death. We will stand united against the ongoing attacks on workers’ rights and protections, and demand that elected officials put working people’s well-being above corporate interests. We will fight for the right of every worker to a safe job until that promise is fulfilled. Illinois events will be posted on this website. Check with your Central Labor Council for actions in your area.
- Alton – The Greater Madison County Federation of Labor is pleased to announce that this year’s Workers Memorial program will be held Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 PM at Gordon Moore Park, at the Workers Memorial Site, Highway 140, in Alton Illinois. Please ask members and families to attend this annual program. In the case of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors at the Muensterman Building. Please notify Mike Fultz at 618-409-4314 or mpfultz@att.net, or Dean Webb at 618-259-8558 if you know of a worker with a fatal or permanently disabling injury so that we may honor them during the program.
- Bloomington - The Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly will honor fallen workers as part of the 2022 Bloomington Normal Trades & Labor Fest on Saturday, April 30, 2022 on the square at McLean County History Museum in downtown Bloomington. Workers will gather for the memorial ceremony at 8:00 am and stay for the family friendly Trades & Labor Fest which runs from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Click here for a flier.
- Champaign – Thursday, April 28,2022 - Champaign County AFL-CIO and the East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades will host a memorial event at the Champaign County Worker Memorial site in Dodds Park, 1501 N. Mattis Avenue in Champaign, IL. The ceremony will begin at 5:00 PM and will feature a keynote address and a memorial wreath presentation, and the addition of 5 local individuals who lost their lives while at labor. Various union, community and political leaders will be in attendance. This event will be held regardless of weather.
- Chicago – The Chicago Federation of Labor is joining ARISE Chicago for a virtual prayer service on Tuesday April 26 at 8:30 a.m. Registration and Zoom link available here. They are also supporting an event coordinated by Chicago Jobs with Justice and the Chicago Workers Collaborative on Thursday April 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the Blue Island & Loomis Plaza in Pilsen. This event will commemorate fallen workers and promote safe and healthy workplaces. Click here for a flier.
- Decatur – Thursday, April 28, Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly Workers’ Memorial Day Service, 5:30 PM on the northwest corner of the Macon County Courthouse lawn, located at 253 West Wood Street in downtown Decatur. Guest speaker will be Nikki Budzinski (candidate for IL-13 U. S. Congress) and there will be reading of the names of those who have died on the job. Contact Lloyd Holman, 217-620-4923 or Lamarcus Williams at 217-413-3577. Click here for a flier.
- Marseilles – Thursday, April 28 at 5:00 PM the Laborers International Union of North America, ULLICO, Inc., and the Illinois State Historical Society will unveil a plaque dedicated to Steve Sutton at Main Street & Route 170 Illinois River Bridge in Marseilles. Steve Sutton was slain when a battle broke out between unemployed workers and out-of-state workers for a major project. 21 workers were wounded and Steve Sutton, a Joliet Laborers and Iron Worker, was killed. The Laborers Local 393 was organized after this tragedy. The event will feature speakers and music entertainment by Tom Morello. Click here for a flier.
- Peoria –Thursday, April 28, Labor Council of West Central Illinois Workers’ Memorial Service. At 6:00 PM gather at the Workers’ Memorial Monument at City Hall, 419 Fulton Street, Peoria. A brief memorial service to honor our fallen brothers & sisters who have died or have been seriously injured as a result of workplace accidents. Contact Lisa Uphoff at 309-672-1967 or Amy Flynn at 309-674-5181.
- Quad Cities – USW Local 105, IBEW 1379 and ARCONIC Davenport Works leadership invite Quad City area working families to join them in a national observance of Workers Memorial Day. On Thursday, April 28, working families in the Quad City area will gather at the USW Local 105 hall (880 Devils Glen Road, Bettendorf, IA) to commemorate Worker Memorial Day. This is a time for working families and union members to remember sisters and brothers who have died or been injured on the job. Lunch will be served after the service. Call 563-355-1181 for more information. Click here for a flier.
- Rockford – Cancelled.
- Springfield – Thursday, April 28, the Springfield & Central Illinois Trades & Labor Council will host a press conference at 10:00 AM at the Illinois AFL-CIO Front Plaza located at 534 S. Second Street in Springfield, IL. The event will be dedicated to AFSCME workers Deidre Silas who was killed while working for DCFS earlier this year. Families of fallen workers will be invited and flowers will be placed in their memory. Click here for a flier.